Automatic starting device for alternating-current vapor-lamps.



V I I Mv I I I Q $331 (lit M4213 Nb."8-'70,141. PATENTED Nov. 5, 1907.

' 0. H. VOMBAUR.

AUTOMATIC STARTING DEVICE FOR ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR LAMPS. APPLICATION FILED APR.16,1907.

Fig. 21

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

' CARL HANS VQM BAUR, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL Hans 'Vom BAUR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Starting Devices for Alternating-Current Vapor-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an alternating current mercury vapor lamp, and more particularly to improved means for starting such lamp in a simple and reliable inanner. By my invention the protracted manipulation heretofore necessary for starting lamps of this character is obviated, the lamps being automatically roclied by closing a circuit, until the ignition-is effected, after which the rocking motion is automatically discontinued. 7

In the accompanying drawing: Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a mercury vapor lamp provided with my improved starting mechanism; Fig. 2 a detailcross section through one end of the lamp; Fig. 3 a detail horizontal section through the mercury switch, and Fig. 4 a cross section on line 4-4, Fig. 3. I v

The numeral 10 indicates a vacuum'tube suspended by hangers 11 in such a manner that it may be rocked on its axis in manner hereinafter described. The endsoi tube 10 are provided'with enlargements 12 and 13. of which enlargement 12 has four seals which consist of platinum wire hermetically sealed in the glass and projecting beyond both sides thereof. Numerals l4 and 15 designate the main positive electrodes or anodes. which consist of small cups of suitable metal, such as iron. and which are fused to two of the platinum scaling-in-wires. 16 is an auxiliary negative electrode or cathode. consisting of mercury. In proximity to cathode 16 is arranged an auxiliary anode 17, consisting best adapted for economically operating the lamp. One

end of transformer 24, is, by wire 25, connected to anode 14, while the other end thereof is, by wire 26, connected to anode 15. The middle point of transformer 24 is, by

wire 27, connected to a balance or steadying resistance 28. which, in turn, by wire 29 is connected team induction coil 30 encircling a non-laminated or solid iron core 30*. From the latter a Wire 31 leadsto cathode l8. Oppositeone end of coil 30 is'arranged'an armatuie 32 pivoted at 33. Weight 34 serves to hold the latter against a contact 35, which, by wire 36, is connected to wire 25. Armature 32 is, by wire 37, connected to a contact 38 against which arm 39 of a bell-crank lever 39, 40 rests. The latter is by wire 41 connected to an al- Specification of Letters Patent.

Applicationjiled April 16. 1907. Serial No. 368.547.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

ternating current electro-magnet; 42 which, in turn,

.hy wire 43, is connected to'transi'ormer 24. Within electro-m'agnet 42 is mounted an axially reciprocating armature or core 44. The insulated upper hook-shaped end 45 of armature 44 is adapted to engage arm 40 of bell-crank 39, 40. The lower end of armature 44 is connected to a metalarm 46 of tube 10 by a link 47.

Opposite to armature 32, there is arranged in proximity to iiiduction coil 30, the iron armature 48 of a mercury switch 49.- The latter consists of an arc-shaped glass tube partly filled with mercury, and provided at its ends with contacts 50, 51. projecting into the interior .of the tube. -When tube 49 is placed in a horizontal neeted to wire 31, while contact 51 is. by wire 53, connected to a limiting resistance 54, which is, in turn, by

- wire 55, connected to cathode 16. Auxiliary anode 17 is, by wire 56 and starting resistance 57, connected to wire 26.

In order to start the lamp, switch 21 is closed, so that 'alternatingcurrent will flow from one end of transformer 24 through wires 25, 36, contact35, armature 32, wire 37, contact 38, lever arm 39, wire 41, alternating current magnet 42 and wire 43, to the other end of transformer 24. In this way electro-magnet 42 is energized, and by attracting its core 44, will-turn tube 10 on its axis bYlirik 47 and lever 46. When core 44 arrives near its highest position, hook 45 will engage arm 40 of lever 39, 40. The latter will thus be tilted to break contact between contact 38 and arm 39, and thereby open the circuitpreviously established. '.In this Way magnet 42 becomes disenergized to thereby release core 44 and permit the same to descend by gravity.

The descent of armature 44 will turn tube 10 back into I its original position.

The above described rocking movement of tube 10 has the following function: During the upward movement of core 44 and the resulting rotation of tube'lO, part of the mercury in cathode 16 Will flow over bridge 58 intermediate cathode.16 and anode 17, and come into metallic contact with anode 17 In'this way a circuit will be closed, the current flowing from transformer 24, through wire 26, resistance 57, wire 56,

anode l7, cathode 16, wire 55, resistance 54, wire 53, 1

establish lhe circuit above described. 'Atcthe end'of this movement, the circuit is again interrupted, to again form an arc. In this way the lamp starts to rectiiy the alternating current, the positive being the parts 14 and i5. while thenegative is cathode 16. If, uponv breaking the are between electrodes 16 and 17, due to the rocking motionel the lamp, no rectified current u'ill flow, the previously described rocking'motion of tube 10 is automatically repeated to againiorm an arc between electrodes 16 and 17'. This operation will be automatically continued untilthe are formed becomes the means for starting the rectified current flowing be-' tween anodes i4, 15, and cathode 16. As soon as the current is rectified in the lamp, the alternating currentpreviously flowing through induction coil-3Q'will also be replaced by continuous current It is evident that the amperage of the alternating current is considerably smaller than that of the direct current dne'to the fact that the alternating current is greatly cut down by impedance of the'circuit, Asthe magnetizingiorce of an electro-magne't is in direct proportion to the number of ampere-turns, it will be seen that alternating current. has less effect than continuous current upon core When continuous current flows through coil 30, armatures 32andet8 will be immediately attracted by core 30. By attracting armature 48,- switch 49 will be raised into the position shown in Fig. 4, to disconnect cathode 16 from. transformer 24. As soon as coil 30 has attracted ar natures 32, 48, its energy is released and its inductive force will kick through tube lO't-o start an arc and light the lamp, tlie'current traveling alternately from transformer 24 through wire 25, to anode 14, and through wire 26, to anode 15, and thence through tube 10, cathode 18,-u'ire 31,coil '3 wire 29, steadying resistance 28, and wire 27, to theinlldle point of the transformer. The formation of the are between anodes 14, 15 and cathode i6,- is greatly iacilitated as mercury vapors have already been produced in the lamp during the rocking period of the same.

The attraction of armature 32 .by coil 30, will breakthe current previously flowing through magnet 42, so that the rocking motion of the lamp is stopped.

The advantages of my improved alternating current mercury lamp are numerous. The lamp is started by simply closing a switch, without the necessity of mani'pulatinga string for tilting the lamp, etc. Furthermore, if the main current is interrupted for any reason, or its voltage falls considerably, so that the lamp stops burning, it is automatically re-started as soon as the current again becomes normal. Furthermore, as but starting the same, the mercury does not receive any i slight rocking movement is imparted to the lamp for I heavy shocks, so that the seals are not liable to he i broken.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a vacuum tube huving a pair of positive main electrodes, :1 negative main electrode, a positive auxiliary electrode, and ,a negative uuxiliury electrode, combined with automatic menus. for rocking the tube, substantially as specified.

2. in a device of the chnructerdescrlhed, a vacuum tube having a pair of ositive main electrodes, a negative main.

electrode, a positive auxiliary mercury electrode, and a negative auxiliary mercury electrode, combined with antomutlc means for rocking the tube, whereby the contact between the mercury electrodes is made or broken, substantlally aslspeclfled.

3. In a device of the character described, a vacuum tube I having a pair of positive main electrodes, a negative main electrode, '11 positive nuriliary mercury electrode, and a negzitive auxiliary mercury electrode, combined with a magnet having a core operutlvelyconnected to the tube,

und automatic means for alternately energizing and disenergizing said magnet, substantially as specified. 4. In a device of the character described. u vacuum tube having a main cathode at one end, a pair of main anodes,

an auxiliary anode and an auxiliary cathode at the other end, combined-with n mngnet 'lmvlng uu armature operntively connected. to "the tube, a circuit for energizing said magnet, means controlled by the urinu'tur e for breaking and closing said circuit, and independent ineuns controlled by-the lamp-current for breaking said circuit, substuntinlly as specified.

In a device otith'e character described, h vacuum tube having :1 main cathode at one end, a pair of main anodes, an auxiliary anode and un auxiliary cathode at the other -cnd.-combined with a magnet .having an armature operatlvely connected to the tube, a first switch in eircuitwith the magnet, a second circuit adapted to produce an arc nu :nirillury anode and an auxiliary cathode at the other end, combined with automatic means for rocking the tube to produce an are between the auxiliary anode and aux:

iliury cathode,. a first switch controlling said means, a second switch in circuit with the auxiliary anode and auxiliary cathode, and means controlled by the lampcircuit for opening both switches, substantially as specl tied.

Signed by me at New'Yorlr city, (Manhnttuin) :N. -Y.,

.tllis 15th duyof April, 1907..

' CARL HANS VOM BAnu.

Witnesses 1 \VILLl.\.\i SCHULZ, FRANK v. Buiusns', 

